Ratings: Big Bang Scores Its Biggest Viewership Yet

The CBS sitcom hit an all-time viewership high Thursday — the first night of February sweeps — with 16.4 million viewers and a 5.4 rating in the adults 18-to-49 demographic. If numbers hold, it would mark Big Bang's second straight win in both categories over the first half-hour of American Idol (15.8 million viewers, 5.0) and its third straight victory over the former Fox juggernaut in the coveted demo. Idol, whose Season 11 numbers are down sharply, averaged 17.12 million viewers and a 5.4 rating for the hour — a season low in the demo.